Hailstorm! 2011-08-02 00:07:47.000 - Mike Carmon,  Observer / Meteorologist Weather nerdi-ness abounds in the following comment (just so you, comment reader, understand where I hail from).While forecasting yesterday morning, both the computer models and NWS were boasting a risk of severe thunderstorms during the afternoon. I, as a self-professed weather nerd, requisitely got quite excited, as the risk seemed to come out of nowhere. I was hoping to wake up later in the day to the sounds of thunder accompanied by a fantastic lightning feature presentation.Although the afternoon did hold a few visible distant thunderstorms, the day did not progress

High Pressure and Air Quality 2011-07-31 17:25:01.000 - Rick Giard,  Observer / Educational Specialist NULL Generally speaking, a ridge of high pressure building into the region is a harbinger of fair weather. True to form, today we have absolutely gorgeous conditions for alpine activity - mostly sunny, light winds, low humidity and good visibility. Compared with the previous two days of fog, rain showers and gusty winds above tree line, this is Hiker's Paradise. However, frequently when high pressure is in control for a period of time, the air quality in terms of pollutants can actually become worse than that

Wildcat 2011-07-30 17:59:44.000 - Steve Welsh,  Observer / IT Specialist NULL I gather it was a wonderful day in the valley today - warm and sunny with vivid blue skies. Up here on the other hand it's been one of those thick wet foggy days with a strong northerly breeze to add to the general discomfort level every time you stepped outside. Hopefully things will improve soon and we may even see some sun tomorrow. In case you haven't noticed we (well really Pete, Ken and assorted volunteers) are in the process of moving our weather related equipment at Wildcat.

NULL 2011-07-29 14:16:34.000 - Tom Padham,  Summit Intern NULL Today we had our first Summit Adventures of the summer season, with five guests getting to experience the home of the world's worst weather first hand by spending night right here in the observatory. These trips are a great way to learn about this unique environment far above treeline and the often extreme weather it experiences. For more information about Summit Adventures be sure to check out our website under education.A storm system is approaching our area from the West today, meaning fog has once again returned to the summit and

NULL 2011-07-28 15:02:02.000 - Peter Strand,  Summit Intern Everyone knows that weather in the White Mountains changes quickly. This is true for almost all mountain ranges, but especially the Whites. Life moves fast at the summit. What with visitors, programs, observations, and of course the ever-changing weather, there are endless tasks to attend to at the Observatory. Occasionally however, after the guests have deserted the summit for the day, it's difficult not to dwell on the vastness of the view at hand. Though modern transportation techniques can be used to experience the summit, all you need is your own two

Art of Forecasting 2011-07-27 22:43:13.000 - Mike Carmon,  Observer / Meteorologist Computer Model Generated Analysis Forecasting is a science, but is also very much an art.Wikipedia defines science as a systematic enterprise that builds and organizes knowledge in the form of testable explanations and predictions about the world. These so-called explanations and predictions we consistently produce, day in and day out, are put to the test as mother nature's events unfold over a forecast period of 36 hours.The scientific method is as follows:1. Define a Question: Will any precipitation fall over the next 36 hours? How much cloud cover will

Another Volunteer Comments 2011-07-26 21:26:38.000 - Dennis Vienneau,  Summit Volunteer As our volunteer week draws to a close, I can report that the newest oven and range works well. I had experienced the sudden shutting off issue that the "old" new stove presented during a previous volunteer week when trying to roast a turkey. This week we baked over 700 cookies for Seek the Peak and there were no problems using the stove. In case you're wondering, we baked chocolate chip cookies, oatmeal fudge drops, peanut butter cookies, sugar cookies, oatmeal raisin, chocolate expresso cookies, coconutmacaroons and potato chip cookies.

A volunteer comment 2011-07-25 17:38:42.000 - Robin Kay,  Summit Volunteer Hey, this is Mike's mom. For those of you who follow the comments, you probably know who I mean, but if you don't, Mike is Mike Finnegan who was an obsever here until this past June. I am his mom, but seem to be better known here as Mike's mom, which as you can imagine, fills me with pride. Although Mike has chosen to move on from the Observatory, I intend to continue my yearly week as a volunteer at this "magical place" as Ken Rancourt's wife, Jane, referred to

2nd comment 2011-07-24 18:52:46.000 - Roger Pushor,  Observer / IT Specialist MWO Staff all dressed up Yesterday was Seek the Peak with nearly 500 hikers making the trek to the Summit and taking the opportunity to tour the Observatory. I have to say one of my favorite parts of the job up here is getting the chance to interact with visitors that come to the Summit and explaining to them a little about what we do up here. There are a surprising number of visitors who don't realize the Mount Washington Observatory is a private non-profit organization that's member supported

comment 2011-07-23 12:56:23.000 - Jaclyn Ritzman,  Summit Intern A lenticular cloud to our east. So far this week has been quite busy up here on the summit. Wednesday, visibility was extremely limited due to dense haze. These conditions have continued throughout the end of the week. While the northeast and most of the Midwest have been experiencing a dangerous heat wave, daytime highs have been in the mid-60s up here on the summit. Many visitors to the summit made the trip up to escape the heat in the valley. Watching many locations in the valley and down along the coast